A leading civilization where everything is made because of low wages (due to overpopulation hence unemployment) combined with high craftsmanship thus the reason why every major company invests in china as opposed to africa and india

Influenced basically all Asian countries: Japanese/Korean writing all have chinese characters, chopsticks used by Japan and Korea, many asians celebrates Chinese New Year (Lunar new year)

One of the oldest countries in the world, it has a rich cultural history extending back roughly 5 or 6 millenia. The Xia dynasty were the first real royal line, overthrown by the Shang dynasty, who were, in turn, ousted in a revolution by the Zhou (pronounced 'show'). Gradually, China expanded, and with the discovery of tea, a rich cultre developed. It fostered the development of the Daoist religion as well as Confucianism, named after its founder. Once invaded by Mongolia, China found true prosperity under the wise rule of Kublai Khan. By the 1800s, China was probably the most advanced nation on the planet, with public libraries, schools and plentiful resources. However, after the population boom and following colonial conquests, China lost its Emperor in 1919. A nationalist leadership was set up, lasting through WW2 until, in 1949, Mao Tse-Tung overthrew it, creating the communist dictatorship we all know today.

China is responsible for such wonders as the Terracotta Army and the birth of Confucianism.

emerging superpower in the 21st century. A country with a 5000yr old history, and has been existence as divided longer than as unified. Rich culture that has influenced Japan, Korea. Ruled by the communist party of china, though it retains very little remnants of true communism/socialism. Very safe country as there are no firearms allowed and very extreme punishment to deter potential offenders. PPl who commit rape, murder, grand theft, extortion, and corruption are often summarily executed within 6 months with a single bullet to the brain stem. Great way of detering crime, imo. The ppl are nice, although many have a hatred for Japan because of her atrocities in WWII and the sino-japanese war, and because the japanese omitt these atrocities from their textbooks.

Although economy is improving, the poor are getting poorer and the rich, richer.

Most Chinese people tend not to protest government for it may cause them trouble. But there is a deep sense of nationalism in the Chinese.

Has gotten alot of heat along w/ North Korea for its questionable human rights practices; although we should not forget the fact that taiwan and South Korea only became democracies in the 1990s and have their own fair share of human rights abuses. After the events of 1989, the PRC has chosen to reform slowly and cautiously.

The most sensitive issue is taiwan. China had orginally planned to occupy it in 1950s but was soon committed to the Korean War. Chinese politicians and citizens are adamant at taking over taiwan in the near future. Many experts see a pattern in that while taiwan is China's pet peeve, North Korea is USA's pet peeve and both are using their leverage w/ said nations to achieve their own goals.

The chinese people and culture are not warmongers, though. They crave peace, growth, and prosperity. To demonstrate their seriousness, when a US official stated that the US would defend Taiwan, a senior Chinese PLA General stated that the PRC would not hesitate to use Nuclear Weapons agains the USA. They are even willing to forgo the '08 Olympics to have the issue of Taiwan take precedence. Speaking as a Chinese, I wish the issue will be resolved peacefully w/o conflict.

the country who had:
the highest population in the world
the best tanks in the world
the highest piracy activities in the world
the highest potential to become the next world superpower that more than rivals USA.
the nuclear power sufficient to stand-off against Russia and USA in a nuclear war.

China rules in Command and Conquer:Generals!They ended up becoming the heroes instead of the oh-I-am-so-damned-high-tech USA.

A nation of vast culture and unprecedented potential.China unlike America has used their brains to figure out that war rarely gets you what you want.

China has committed to bettering its own people through economic rejuvenation. Not conquer and conquest, like ah, the American gov. In fact China took the time to inform the world of its intentions and that it does not want the world to perceive China as a threat. China created a doctrine and announced it to the world. It is a foreign policy doctrine created by the People's Republic of China in the early 21st century. It addresses concerns the world may have about its strengthening global position. Quote: "The term (China's peaceful rise)is used primarily to reassure the nations of Asia and the United States that the rise of the PRC in military and economic prominence will not pose a threat to peace and stability, and that other nations will benefit from PRC's rising power and influence. Explicit in the doctrine, is the notion that PRC's economic and military development is not a zero-sum game and that China is less of an economic competitor than an economic opportunity"

Fearful westerners may not be comforted by this; but China which is much much older than America, does not have an aggressive past. It is the great defender, and even in defense it showed its enemies mercy, declining to conquer attacking enemies, in some defensive battles, china pushed the opposing army all the way back to their capital city, and after winning, left and returned the their own land saying "There you see now, leave us alone, and we will leave you alone, this is your lesson." Demonstrating its actions were only to deter an attacking nation. Never to conquer. Which is a big statement coming from a nation with the largest population (and therefore largest potential army) and the inventor/discoverer of gun powder. Secondly, china is not stupid enough to think countries can benefit from war.

Look at the world, the highest living standards belong to the most peaceful countries. America (by the way I don't hate America, I like America, I just hate the governments foreign policy, and domestic is not that great either). Is supposedly the richest country in the world, ok so why are so many people poor in America? Because the politicians want to spend money playing with their war machines, instead of spending in their own country helping their own people. If America put all the money they have spend on the Iraq war, into their own country, in say, ohh I don't know, education programs, career programs, scholarships; rebuilding the ghettos of America and doing something for their poor, and not being such pricks to the world, than maybe people would have a little more admiration for them. If they invested all the money they have spent killing people over oil, and instead invested it in alternative fuels, and technologies, they would have a feasible alternative right now. It's not that hard, we all know theirs alternatives. Instead the gov has opted to destroy the world for their own benefit, it's been done guys, try something new already...

As china advances its economy they will improve life for all it's people, they have already started. They have a lot on their plate, they are starting to realized now the need for environmental protection. And that they can't just leave the poor behind. As well they have already realized the need for cutting back energy consumption, and the persuit of alternative energy sources. It will take time, but I believe that China my soon become the beacon in the darkness of the world, as one that acheived greatness and prosperity; peacfully, fully, and fairly. Way to go China, Wo ai Ni.